Roller actuated snap action electric toggle switch



1965 R. E. LOCHER 3,167,622

ROLLER ACTUATED SNAP ACTION ELECTRIC TOGGLEI SWITCH Filed Aug. 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6 /2 l7 Ami) A Ii Z 25 IN VEN TOR.

Ross E. LOCHER 8) m5 ATTORNEYS HARE/5; K/EcH, RussELL & KER/V R. E. LOCHER Jan. 26, 1965 ROLLER ACTUATED 'SNAP ACTION ELECTRIC TOGGLE SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1962 INVENTOR. Ross 5 LOCHER 15) HA5 ATTORNEYS HARRIS K/ECH, RussEu. 6v KERN United States Patent Y RQLLER ACTUATEEE EiNAl AC'EHSN ELECTRE C This invention relates to a new and improved electric switch of. the toggle type.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical switch with a quick make and quick break action and one which may be operated at high current loads. A particular object is to provide such a switch which may be rated at 600 amperes and higher load. A further object is to provide such a switch which may be operated continuously at high current without excessive heat rise and which may be used for closing and opening circuits under full load.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a new and novel switch which is simple in construction and trouble free in operation. A further object is toprovide such a switch which does not require any internal cable connections to any of the moving parts.

It is a particular object to provide an electrical toggle switch including a housing, a fixed contact mounted in the housing, a moving contact mounted on a contact carrier which includes a roller track, a pivot member mounted in the housing for pivotally supporting the contact carrier at a pivot axis, an actuating member mounted in the housing for movement between switch open and closed positions, and roller means mounted in the actuating member for movement along the track past the pivot axis as the actuating member is moved, with the actuating and pivot members including resilient means urging the roller means into engagement with the track whereby movement of the actuating member closes and opens the contact set.

It is a further object to provide such a toggle switch in which the roller means is movable relative to the actuating member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the roller means permitting relative movement between the actuating member and the roller means as the switch is actuated. Another object is to provide such a structure in which the pivot member is a resilient member providing the spring force for the switch operation. Another object is to provide such a structure in which the spring force is provided by a spring carried in the actuating member and acting on the roller means. A particular object is to provide such a switch in which the electrical circuit is closed through the fixed contact, the moving contact and contact carrier, and the pivot memher, without requiring a flexible cable connection to the contact carrier.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. The drawings merely show and the description merely describes preferred embodiments of the present invention which are given by way of illustration or example.

In the drawings:

HS. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the switch;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the switch in the partly-opened position and in the open position, respectively;

3,l67,22 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of elements of the switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the switch of the invention;

PEG. 10 is a sectional View taken along the line 99 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line ll-ll of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional View taken along the line l2-l2 of FEG. 11; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are views similar to FIG. 9 showing the switch in the partly opened and in the open condition respectively.

The switch of FIGS. 1-8 includes a housing with side plates 2t 21 mounted on a base 22. A fixed contact 23 is mounted on a contact plate 24 carried by a bus bar 25 which in turn is mounted on the base 22. The drawing illustrates a single switch but two or three or more switches may be mounted on a single base and may be ganged for simultaneous operation if desired.

A cable terminal 26 and a pivot member 27 are mounted on the base 22, the cable terminal providing for connecting a cable 23 to the switch. When desired, a fuse block or other electrical component may be included between the cable terminal and the pivot member.

A moving contact 31 is fixed to a contact carrier 32 having concave portions 33, 34 providing pivot surfaces for riding on corresponding ends 35, 3d of the pivot member 27.

The contact carrier 32, includes a roller track in the form of a relatively fiat portion 39 between the concave portions 33, 34 and between stop brackets 4t 41. A clearance notch 42 is provided in the pivot member 27 for the roller track.

An actuating member 45 is pivotally mounted on a pin 46 between the side plates for movement between a switch open position as shown in FIG. 5 and a switch closed position as shown in FIG. 1, with pins 47, lb serving as limit stops for movement of the actuating member. The actuating member includes a U-shaped frame 49 which pivots on the pin 4s and a bar 5%? having a slot 51 for sliding movement of the bar relative to the frame and pin. A spring 52 is positioned in an opening 53 in the bar 56 and engages the frame 49, urging the bar in the downward direction.

A roller 55 is positioned in a slot 56 in the bar 55) of the actuating member for movement along the roller track 39 of the contact carrier 332, with the roller shaft 57 riding in a groove or notch 58 of the bar. This permits movement of. the roller relative to the bar of the actuating member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller.

The switch is shown in the closed condition in FIG. 1 providing an electric circuit from the bus 25 through the fixed contact 23 and the moving contact 31 to the pivot member 27 and terminal 26. The spring 52 acts through the bar 59 and the roller 55 to urge the contacts tightly together and to urge the contact carrier into tight engagement with the pivot member.

The switch is opened by moving the actuating member counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawing. In FIG. 4, the actuating member has been moved partway toward the open position but the roller and contact carrier have not been moved and the closed circuit has not been disturbed. The roller shaft 57 has now engaged the left end of the notch 58 so that further movement of the actuating member will cause movement of the roller along the roller track. A very slight additional movement of the actuating member moves the roller to the right as shown in the drawing, past the pivot axis of the contact carrier. The action of the spring 52 immediately snaps the switch to the open con- (2 dition as shown in FIG. 5. The switch is closed in a similar manner. The actuating member is moved clockwise, having no effect on the roller and contact carrier until the right end of the notch engages the roller shaft. Then the roller is moved past the pivot axis and the switch is snapped closed.

This switch construction provides a very fast circuit breaking action and a very fast circuit making action. It also provides a firm closed circuit condition and can be operated at very high current loads without excessive heating and without requiring any flexible cable connections between the contact carrier and the pivot member. The particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is rated at 600 amperes and may be opened and closed under full load.

An alternative embodiment of the switch is shown in FIGS. 9-14. The switch includes a housing with side plates 60, 61 mounted on a base 62, a bus bar 63 with a contact plate 64 and fixed contact 65, a pivot member 66 and cable terminal 67, a moving contact 68 and contact carrier 69, and an actuating member 70 and roller 71.

The actuating member 70 pivots on a pin 74 and moves between pins 75, 76 which serve as stops. The roller 71 is positioned in a slot 77 in the actuating member with the roller shaft 73 riding in a groove or slot 79.

The contact carrier 69 includes a pair of concave portions 82, 83 for pivoting on the upturned end of the pivot member 66, and a track portion 84 between the concave portions for receiving the roller 71, with upturned portions 85, 36 of the contact carrier serving as roller stops.

The pivot member 66 is made of a resilient material and an opening 8? is provided in the base to permit flexing of the pivot end of the member. Typically, the pivot member may be made of copper bus.

With the switch in the closed position as shown in FIG. 9, the pivot member 66 is flexed downward from its normal position and exerts an upward force on the contact carrier at the pivot axis resulting in a downward force at the moving contact 68 urging the switch to the closed position. As in the preceding embodiment, the switch is opened by moving the actuating member counterclockwise as seen in FIGS. 9, 13 and 14, with the roller and contact carrier remaining fixed until the roller shaft engages the left end of the groove in the actuating member. As the roller moves past the pivot axis of the contact carrier 69, the pivot member is flexed downward further and then immediately moves upward to the position shown in FIG. 14, providing a snap action opening of the switch.

The downward movement of the pivot member 66 results in a movement of the pivot axis of the contact carrier and produces a lateral movement of the moving contact relative to the fixed contact, as shown in FIG. 13, incorporating a contact wiping action with the fast break action.

The switch is closed in similar fashion, with the actuating member 70 being moved clockwise from the position of FIG. 14 to the position of FIG. 9. Engagement of the roller shaft with the right end of the groove 79 causes movement of the roller along the track past the pivot axis, following which the switch is snapped closed by the resilient action of the member 66. The switch of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-14 is more-suitable for use with lower current ratings where the crosssectional area of the conductors is less. For example, in the 600-ampere switch illustrated in FIG. 1, the pivot member 27 has a cross section of about 4 inch by 2 inches. When conductors of this size are being utilized, it is preferred to provide an auxiliary spring. In one physical embodiment of the switch of FIG. 9, the pivot member 66 has a cross section of about inch by inch. This conductor has adequate resiliency to provide the desired snap action and contact pressure.

4, Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and discussed, it will be understood that other applications of the invention are possible and that the embodiments disclosed may be subjected to various changes, modifications and substitutions without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim a my invention:

1. In an electrical toggle switch, the combination of:

a housing;

a fixed contact mounted in said housing;

a contact carrier with a moving contact and means defining a roller track, with said fixed and moving contacts forming a contact set;

a pivot member mounted in said housing for pivotally supporting said contact carrier at a pivot axis on said pivot member;

an actuating member mounted in said housing for movement between switch open and closed positions and including groove means defining a path; and

roller means mounted in said actuating member for movement along said track past said pivot axis as said actuating memberis moved, with said roller means movable in said groove means along said track relative to said actuating member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said roller means, and resilient means urging said roller means into engagement with said track whereby movement of said actuating member toward said closed position closes said contact set and movement of said actuating member toward said open position opens said contact set.

. In an electrical toggle switch, the combination of:

housing;

fixed contact mounted in said housing;

contact carrier with a moving contact and means defining a roller track, with said fixed and moving contacts forming a contact set;

a resilient pivot member mounted in said housing for pivotally supporting said contact carrier at a pivot axis for pivoting of said contact carrier on said pivot member independently of said housing;

an actuating member mounted in said housing for movement between switch open and closed positions; and

roller means mounted in said actuating member for movement along said track past said pivot axis as said actuating member is moved, with said resilient pivot member urging said roller means into engagement with said track whereby movement of said actuating member toward said closed position closes said contact set and movement of said actuating member toward said open position opens said contact set.

. In an electrical toggle switch, the combination of:

housing;

fixed contact'mounted in said housing;

contact carrier with a moving contact and means defining a roller track, with said fixed and moving contacts forming a contact set;

a pivot member mounted in said housing for pivotally supporting said contact carrier at a pivot axis;

an actuating member mounted in said housing for movement between switch open and closed positions and including a roller groove; and

a roller mounted in said actuating member for rolling along said track past said pivot axis as said actuating member is moved, with said roller movable in said roller groove relative to said actuating member in a direction perpendicular to its axis of rotation, and

resilient means urging said roller into engagement with said track whereby movement of said actuating member toward said closed position closes said contact set to complete an electrical circuit from said fixed contact through said moving contact and contact carier to said pivot member and movement of mmmm said actuating member toward said open position opens said contact set to open said circuit.

4. In an electrical tog ie switch, the combination of:

a housing;

a fixed contact mounted in said housing;

a contact carrier with a moving contact and two concave pivot surfaces spaced by a relatively flat track surface with stops defining the ends thereof, with said fixed and moving contacts forming a contact set;

a pivot member mounted in said housing for pivotally engaging said contact carrier at said pivot surfaces;

an actuating member mounted in said housing for movement between switch open and closed positions and including a roller groove; and

a roller mounted in said actuating member for rolling along said track surface past said pivot surfaces as said actuating member is moved, with said roller movable in said roller groove relative to said actuating member in a direction perpendicular to its axis of rotation, and resilient means urging said roller into engagement with said track surface whereby movement of said actuating member toward said closed position closes said contact set to complete an electrical circuit from said fixed contact through said moving contact and contact carrier to said pivot member and movement of said actuating member toward said open position opens said contact set to open said circuit.

5. in an electrical toggle switch, the combination of:

a housing;

a fixed contact mounted in said housing;

a contact carrier with a moving contact and means det5 fining a roller track, with said fixed and moving contacts forming a contact set;

a resilient pivot member mounted in said housing for pivotally supporting said contact carrier at a pivot axis for pivoting of said contact carrier on said pivot member independently of said housing;

an actuating member mounted in said housing for movement beeween switch open and and closed positions; and

roller means mounted in said actuating member for movement along said track past said pivot axis as said actuating member is moved, with said resilient pivot member urging said roller means into engagement with said track whereby movement of said actuating member toward said closed position closes said contact set and movement of said actuating member toward said open position opens said contact set, and with said pivot member deflecting as said roller means moves past said pivot axis to move said pivot axis and hence said contact carrier and moving contact relative to said fixed contact While the contact set is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,469,337 Kohl May 3, 1949 2,470,613 Gaynor May 17, 1949 2,633,510 Schellman Mar. 31, 1953 2,832,852 Andrew Apr. 29, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 791,307 Great Britain Feb. 26, 1958 

1. IN AN ELECTRICAL TOGGLE SWITCH, THE COMBINATION OF: A HOUSING; A FIXED CONTACT MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING; A CONTACT CARRIER WITH A MOVING CONTACT AND MEANS DEFINING A ROLLER TRACK, WITH SAID FIXED AND MOVING CONTACTS FORMING A CONTACT SET; A PIVOT MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID CONTACT CARRIER AT A PIVOT AXIS ON SAID PIVOT MEMBER; AN ACTUATING MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN SWITCH OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIIONS AND INCLUDING GROOVE MEANS DEFINING A PATH; AND ROLLER MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT ALONG SAID TRACK PAST SAID PIVOT AXIS AS SAID ACTUATING MEMBER IS MOVED, WITH SAID ROLLER MEANS MOVABLE IN SAID GROOVE MEANS ALONG SAID TRACK RELATIVE TO SAID ACTUATING MEMBER IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF SAID ROLLER MEANS, AND RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID ROLLER MEANS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TRACK WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER TOWARD SAID CLOSED POSITION CLOSES SAID CONTACT SET AND MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER TOWARD SAID OPEN POSITION OPENS SAID CONTACT SET. 